I was just up a Dillon beach today practicing on the beach with my new kite (12M Cabrinha Crossbow). I just got it and wanted to see how the bridle works, bar pressure, etc, but didn't want to head out in the chop given that I'm still a learning grommet and thought I'd be in over my head. So I was practicing on the beach.

I'm on the beach and loving it, until cranky old kiter starts yelling at me for using a 12M in 10 knots on land. I mean really yelling at me, calling me unsafe, a danger, breaking the rules on "his spot". Long story short, he says that anyone kiting a kite bigger than 6m on land is a jackbooted thug.

I had lessons in Morocco and had a lot of practice time with a kite on dry land (learn the one thing then the other was their motto), but I don't want to be a schmuck about things, so I wanted to ask whether it's a really bad idea to be practicing on land with my kite?

It's a bow kite so I've got the ability to depower completely, and have been able to modulate the power generated amazingly well, much better than on the Boxer's I was on in Morocco.

Old Kiters have seen it all...
Including the new bow kites inverting on land with the consequences of reversed steering...
Legends of The Bay have hurt themselves on land with a twelve in 6 knts.
My weight is clearly placed in the water.
If your launching on land its simply keep it low and go... with a short body drag from the shore to clear the solid objects.
Cranky may not be the best delivery of the message but I support the wisdom delivered and respecting the standards of the locals should be universal.

it's also good that you asked for a little feedback here instead of being embarrased. It's better to be a little embarrased online than in front of a crowd of people at the beach, picking sand out of your teeth (or worse).

Not to mention flying your new $$$ kite on land is a good way to chance tearing it up.